Ex-Wisconsin Supreme Court justice told to hand over records related to secret impeachment panel
Wisconsin Judge Orders Former Supreme Court Justice to Produce Documents on Republican-Led Panel
A Twist in the Strange Saga
A Wisconsin judge has issued an order for former state Supreme Court justice, Patience Roggensack, to produce paperwork related to her involvement in a Republican-led panel. This panel has been accused of holding private meetings to investigate impeachment charges against the state’s newest and most liberal high court judge.
The order comes after American Oversight, a liberal watchdog group, filed a lawsuit claiming that the panel’s private meetings violated the state’s Open Meetings Law. They are seeking to make the information public and have asked the district attorney to void any actions taken by the panel that do not comply with the law.
Judge Frank Remington has given Roggensack 30 days to produce all records within her possession relating to her work on the panel. This ruling adds another twist to the ongoing saga in Wisconsin, which involves efforts to oust Justice Janet Protasiewicz, who recently won against former Justice Daniel Kelly.
A High-Stakes Battle
The race between Protasiewicz and Kelly was seen as the Democrats’ last chance to prevent Republicans from maintaining control in the battleground state. It was the most expensive race for a state Supreme Court in history, with millions of dollars poured in by special interest groups, including liberal megadonor George Soros and the wealthy conservative Uihlein family.
Conservatives have criticized Protasiewicz’s impartiality and have called for her recusal from certain high-profile cases. She has been vocal about her support for abortion rights and the need to redraw Wisconsin’s legislative maps, which are currently heavily favored towards the GOP.
A Rare Legislative Effort
If lawmakers were to attempt to remove Protasiewicz from office, it would be a rare occurrence in Wisconsin’s political history. The state has only impeached a judge once before, back in 1853. However, the creation of the secret panel by Assembly Speaker Robin Vos has raised questions about its existence.
Vos allegedly assigned Roggensack and former conservative justices David Prosser and Jon Wilcox to review and advise him on the criteria for impeaching Protasiewicz. Despite this, Vos’s attorneys have argued that the panel does not exist.
While the legal battle continues, Judge Remington emphasized the importance of open government and the responsibility of the panel members to uphold it. The ruling on the existence of the panel is still pending.
What implications could the court’s findings have on the panel’s actions and investigations?
Publicly available and to hold the panel accountable for their actions.
The panel in question was formed by Wisconsin Republicans in response to controversial rulings made by Justice Jill Karofsky, a liberal judge who was elected to the state Supreme Court in April 2020. Karofsky’s election marked a shift in the court’s balance of power, as conservatives lost their majority. This led to concerns among Republicans that Karofsky would push a liberal agenda and undermine conservative values.
In an effort to counter her influence, Republicans formed the panel and began investigating possible grounds for impeachment. The panel’s meetings were conducted in private, raising questions about transparency and accountability. American Oversight believes that these closed-door discussions violate the state’s Open Meetings Law, which requires government meetings to be open to the public.
Now, with Judge Roggensack being ordered to produce documents related to her involvement in the panel, the public may finally gain insight into the inner workings of this investigation. It is essential to hold public officials accountable for their actions, especially those involved in processes that may impact the integrity of the judicial system.
This case is significant as it highlights the ongoing battle between Democrats and Republicans for control of the judiciary. With partisan tensions running high and the stakes at an all-time high, it is crucial to ensure that these processes are conducted transparently and in accordance with the law.
The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the future of the panel and its investigations. If the court finds that the panel’s meetings did indeed violate the Open Meetings Law, it could invalidate any actions taken by the panel and call into question the legitimacy of their investigation.
Moreover, it would send a strong message about the importance of transparency and accountability in government proceedings. Openness in decision-making processes is crucial for maintaining public trust and ensuring a fair and impartial judicial system.
Regardless of the outcome, this case highlights the need for a thorough examination of the panel’s actions and the broader issue of political interference in the judiciary. It serves as a reminder of the importance of judicial independence and the potential consequences when this independence is threatened.
Ultimately, the true impact of this Wisconsin judge’s order will depend on the information that is revealed and the subsequent legal proceedings. With the public’s right to know at stake, it is crucial that the truth be uncovered and that accountability be upheld. Only then can the credibility of the judiciary be preserved and trust in the system be restored.
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